U.S. patent application number 09/915364 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-30 for guide apparatus for use in folder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Nanba, Takeo, Narui, Takao.
Application Number | 20020063372 09/915364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18829343 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020063372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nanba, Takeo ; et
al. |
May 30, 2002 |
Guide apparatus for use in folder
Abstract
Disclosed is a guide apparatus for use in a folder which is
composed of a collect cylinder, a cutting cylinder, and a jaw
cylinder. In the guide apparatus, a paper guide is disposed to
partially cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the collect
cylinder and the jaw cylinder on the downstream side of a narrowest
gap between the collect cylinder and the jaw cylinder, to thereby
define a triangular sheet transfer space in cooperation with the
collect cylinder and the jaw cylinder. The guide apparatus is
composed of a guide plate which is disposed in such a manner as to
be able to move between an active position located within the sheet
transfer space and a retreat position where the guide plate does
not interfere with the sheet transferring from the collect cylinder
to the jaw cylinder; a position-changeover drive unit for moving
the guide plate between the active position and the retreat
position; a printing-speed detection unit for detecting the driving
speed of a rotary press and outputting a driving speed signal
during printing; and a control unit for outputting, upon reception
of the driving speed signal from the printing-speed detection unit,
a position changeover signal to the position-changeover drive unit
in order to move the guide plate accordingly.
Inventors: |
Nanba, Takeo; (Yokohama,
JP) ; Narui, Takao; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG,WESTERMAN & HATTORI, LLP
1725 K STREET, NW.
SUITE 1000
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho,
Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
JP
|
Family ID: |
18829343 |
Appl. No.: |
09/915364 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
270/47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2404/693 20130101;
B65H 2513/10 20130101; B65H 29/52 20130101; B65H 2513/10 20130101;
B65H 45/167 20130101; B65H 2220/02 20130101; B65H 2220/11 20130101;
B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/11 20130101; B65H 2511/20
20130101; B65H 45/28 20130101; B65H 2511/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
270/47 |
International
Class: |
B42C 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 27, 2000 |
JP |
2000-357247 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A guide apparatus for use in a folder in which a cutting
cylinder and a jaw cylinder are disposed around a collect cylinder
such that a gap is formed between the cutting cylinder and the
collect cylinder and between the jaw cylinder face and the collect
cylinder; pairs each consisting of a cutting bar extending axially
and a pin are circumferentially arranged on an outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder at circumferential
intervals each corresponding to a length of a sheet such that the
pins are projectable from an outer circumferential surface of the
collect cylinder at locations adjacent to and behind the
corresponding cutting bars in the rotational direction of the
collect cylinder; tucking blades extending axially are each
disposed at a substantially circumferentially central position
between adjacent two of the cutting bars to be projectable from the
outer circumferential surface of the collect cylinder; a knife
extending axially projects from the outer circumferential surface
of the cutting cylinder; jaw mechanisms are circumferentially
arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder
at circumferential intervals each corresponding to the length of a
sheet; a paper guide is disposed over an appropriate range covering
a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the collect
cylinder and a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the
jaw cylinder, which portions are located downstream of a narrowest
gap between the collect cylinder and the jaw cylinder with respect
to rotational directions of the collect cylinder and the jaw
cylinder, such that an inner surface of the paper guide faces the
outer circumferential surfaces of the collect cylinder and the jaw
cylinder while an appropriate gap is maintained therebetween and
such that the inner surface of the paper guide, together with the
outer circumferential surfaces of the collect cylinder and the jaw
cylinder, defines a sheet transfer space having a substantially
triangular cross section; and the knife and the cutting bar
cooperatively cut off a sheet of predetermined length from a web,
while the jaw mechanism and the tucking blade cooperatively fold
the sheet; the guide apparatus comprising: a guide unit disposed in
such a manner as to be able to move between an active position
located within the sheet transfer space and apart from the outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder to such an extent
as not to allow the sheet to slack, and a retreat position where
the guide unit does not interfere with the sheet transferring from
the collect cylinder to the jaw cylinder; a position-changeover
drive unit for moving the guide unit between the active position
and the retreat position; a printing-speed detection unit for
detecting driving speed of a rotary press and outputting a driving
speed signal during printing; and a control unit for outputting,
upon reception of the driving speed signal from the printing-speed
detection unit, a position changeover signal to the
position-changeover drive unit in order to move the guide unit
accordingly.
2. A guide apparatus for use in a folder according to claim 1,
wherein the guide unit comprises two elongated guide plates which
extend in the transferring direction of the sheet within the sheet
transfer space and which are supported on the paper guide to be
movable between the active position and the retreat position.
3. A guide apparatus for use in a folder according to claim 2,
wherein the position-changeover drive unit comprises a hydraulic
cylinder operatively connected to the elongated guide plates and
adapted to move the guide plates between the active position and
the retreat position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a guide apparatus for use
in a folder equipped with a cutting cylinder, a collect cylinder, a
jaw cylinder, and a paper guide in a rotary press.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional folder of a rotary press, particularly a
folder equipped with a cutting cylinder, a collect cylinder, a jaw
cylinder, and a paper guide, is disclosed in, for example, Japanese
Utility Model Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2-119463.
[0005] In the folder disclosed in Japanese Utility Model
Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2-119463, a web which is fed to a
gap between the collect cylinder and the cutting cylinder is cut by
the cutting cylinder into sheets. A lead portion of each sheet is
held on the collect cylinder by a pin which is provided on the
collect cylinder and is stuck into the lead portion. After the lead
portion of the sheet passes the position of the minimum gap between
the neighboring collect cylinder and jaw cylinder as a result of
rotation of the collect cylinder, a central portion of the sheet is
pressed by a tucking blade provided on the collect cylinder toward
a jaw mechanism composed of a movable jaw and a stationary jaw and
provided on the jaw cylinder. As a result, the central portion of
the sheet is held by the jaw mechanism. After the pin which has
been holding the lead portion of the sheet is withdrawn from the
lead portion, the lead portion is separated from the outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder and begins to move
toward the jaw cylinder.
[0006] A paper guide formed of a brush is disposed above the
collect cylinder and the jaw cylinder in such a manner that the
paper guide extends continuously from the vicinity of the outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder to the vicinity of
the outer circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder. The lead
portion of the sheet which has left the collect cylinder moves
toward the jaw cylinder while being guided along the side of the
paper guide which faces the outer circumferential surfaces of the
folding and jaw cylinders.
[0007] However, the guide apparatus for use in a folder disclosed
in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open (kokai) No.
2-119463 involves the following problems.
[0008] In the guide apparatus, when the pin which has been holding
the lead portion of a sheet is withdrawn from the lead portion, the
lead portion of the sheet becomes free. Therefore, when the
printing speed of the rotary press is very low, as shown in FIGS. 7
and 8, slack 30 or a curl 31 arises at a lead portion Q1' of the
sheet. When the lead portion Q1' of the sheet moves toward a jaw
cylinder G while having the slack 30 or the curl 31, the sheet is
folded in a defective manner to thereby become a defectively folded
sheet R' as shown in FIG. 9.
[0009] Particularly, when the rotary press is halted, the slack 30
or the curl 31, which arises at the lead portion Q1' of the sheet
at low printing speed as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, occurs more
significantly. Subsequently, when the jaw cylinder G and the
collect cylinder F resume rotating upon restart of the rotary
press, the lead portion Q1' of the sheet having the slack 30 or the
curl 31 moves toward the jaw cylinder G. The slack 30 or the curl
31 is caught in the gap between a paper guide 10 and the outer
circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder G, resulting in
formation of the defectively folded sheet R'. The defectively
folded sheet R' is jammed in the gap, causing mechanical
breakage.
[0010] Thus, in printing preparation work (such as paper-threading
work or printing adjustment work), which involves frequent start
and stop of low-printing-speed operation, a worker must always
observe the folder in preparation in order to remove defectively
folded sheets discharged to the outside of the machine and to deal
with jamming of defectively folded sheets. As a result, the burden
imposed on the worker increases, and work efficiency is
impaired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention
is to provide a guide apparatus for use in a folder for preventing
occurrence of a defectively folded sheet to thereby prevent
occurrence of paper jam on a jay cylinder.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
guide apparatus for use in a folder which does not require a worker
to observe a folder during printing preparation work, to thereby
achieve laborsaving and enhancement of work efficiency.
[0013] To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides
a guide apparatus for use in a folder in which a cutting cylinder
and a jaw cylinder are disposed around a collect cylinder such that
a gap is formed between the cutting cylinder and the collect
cylinder and between the jaw cylinder face and the collect
cylinder; pairs each consisting of a cutting bar extending axially
and a pin are circumferentially arranged on an outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder at circumferential
intervals each corresponding to a length of a sheet such that the
pins are projectable from an outer circumferential surface of the
collect cylinder at locations adjacent to and behind the
corresponding cutting bars in the rotational direction of the
collect cylinder; tucking blades extending axially are each
disposed at a substantially circumferentially central position
between adjacent two of the cutting bars to be projectable from the
outer circumferential surface of the collect cylinder; a knife
extending axially projects from the outer circumferential surface
of the cutting cylinder; jaw mechanisms are circumferentially
arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder
at circumferential intervals each corresponding to the length of a
sheet; a paper guide is disposed over an appropriate range covering
a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the collect
cylinder and a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the
jaw cylinder, which portions are located downstream of a narrowest
gap between the collect cylinder and the jaw cylinder with respect
to rotational directions of the collect cylinder and the jaw
cylinder, such that an inner surface of the paper guide faces the
outer circumferential surfaces of the collect cylinder and the jaw
cylinder while an appropriate gap is maintained therebetween and
such that the inner surface of the paper guide, together with the
outer circumferential surfaces of the collect cylinder and the jaw
cylinder, defines a sheet transfer space having a substantially
triangular cross section; and the knife and the cutting bar
cooperatively cut off a sheet of predetermined length from a web,
while the jaw mechanism and the tucking blade cooperatively fold
the sheet.
[0014] The guide apparatus comprises a guide unit disposed in such
a manner as to be able to move between an active position located
within the sheet transfer space and apart from the outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder to such an extent
as not to allow the sheet to slack, and a retreat position where
the guide unit does not interfere with the sheet transferring from
the collect cylinder to the jaw cylinder; a position-changeover
drive unit for moving the guide unit between the active position
and the retreat position; a printing-speed detection unit for
detecting the driving speed of a rotary press and outputting a
driving speed signal during printing; and a control unit for
outputting, upon reception of the driving speed signal from the
printing-speed detection unit, a position changeover signal to the
position-changeover drive unit in order to move the guide unit
accordingly.
[0015] The thus-configured guide apparatus yields the following
effects. Even in printing preparation work, which involves frequent
start and stop of low-printing-speed operation, a defectively
folded sheet does not occur, and thus paper jam, which is
potentially caused by a defectively folded sheet, does not occur on
the jaw cylinder.
[0016] Also, a worker does not need to observe the folder during
printing preparation work, and thus laborsaving and enhancement of
work efficiency are achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Various other objects, features and many of the attendant
advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as
the same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiments when considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a folder equipped with a
guide apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the guide apparatus according to
the embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic partial side view of the folder of
FIG. 1, illustrating the operation of the guide apparatus according
to the embodiment;
[0021] FIGS. 4 to 6 are schematic partial side views of the folder
of FIG. 1, illustrating the operation of the guide apparatus
according to the embodiment; and
[0022] FIGS. 7 to 9 are schematic partial side views illustrating
the operation of a conventional guide apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will next be
described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, a folder S of a rotary press includes a
cutting cylinder E, a collect cylinder F, and a jaw cylinder G,
which are arranged in parallel with one another and such that the
cutting cylinder E and the jaw cylinder G are disposed at
diametrally opposite sides of the collect cylinder F. A gap for
allowing paper to pass through is formed between the cutting
cylinder E and the collect cylinder F and between the jaw cylinder
G and the collect cylinder F.
[0025] Two knives 15 project from the outer circumferential surface
of the cutting cylinder E at diametrally opposite positions. Pairs
each consisting of a cutting bar 17 and a pin 16 are
circumferentially arranged on the outer circumferential surface of
the collect cylinder F at circumferential intervals each
corresponding to half the circumferential length of the cutting
cylinder E. The pins 16 are located adjacent to and behind the
corresponding cutting bars 17 with respect to the rotational
direction of the collect cylinder F. The pins 16 can project from
and retract behind the outer circumferential surface of the collect
cylinder F. Tucking blades 18 are each circumferentially disposed
at a substantially circumferentially central position between
adjacent pairs of the cutting bar 17 and the pin 16 in such a
manner as to be able to project from and retract behind the outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder F.
[0026] In the present embodiment, five pairs of the cutting bar 17
and the pin 16 are provided; five tucking blades 18 are provided;
and the diameter of the collect cylinder F is 2.5 times that of the
cutting cylinder E.
[0027] The diameter of the jaw cylinder G is substantially equal to
that of the collect cylinder F. Five jaw mechanisms 21 each
consisting of a movable jaw 19 and a stationary jaw 20 are disposed
on the outer circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder G at
circumferentially equal intervals.
[0028] Two facing nipping rollers 12 are disposed in the upstream
vicinity of the paired cutting cylinder E and collect cylinder F
with respect to the running direction of a web P in such a manner
as to nip the fed web P therebetween. The nipping rollers 2 rotate
at the same speed in opposite directions so as to feed the web P
toward the gap between the cutting cylinder E and the collect
cylinder F.
[0029] The cutting cylinder E and the collect cylinder F are
rotated in opposite directions, as are the paired nipping rollers
12; and the jaw cylinder G is rotated in a direction opposite to
the rotational direction of the collect cylinder F.
[0030] A signature guide belt 13 is disposed diametrally opposite
the collect cylinder F with respect to the jaw cylinder G in such a
manner as to face the outer circumferential surface of the jaw
cylinder G.
[0031] The signature guide belt 13 includes an appropriate number
of rollers (3 rollers in the present embodiment; i.e., 13a, 13b,
and 13c), an endless belt 13d looped around the rollers 13a, 13b,
and 13c, and a tension roller 13e. A portion of the endless belt
13d is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the jaw
cylinder G. The endless belt 13d travels in the direction opposite
the rotational direction of the jaw cylinder G; i.e., clockwise, at
a speed equal to the circumferential speed of the jaw cylinder
G.
[0032] A paper guide 10 is disposed over an appropriate range
covering a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the
collect cylinder F and a portion of the outer circumferential
surface of the jaw cylinder G, which portions are located
downstream of the narrowest gap between the collect cylinder F and
the jaw cylinder G with respect to the rotational directions of the
collect cylinder F and the jaw cylinder G (in the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a range extending between a
position in the vicinity of the signature guide belt 13 and a
position in the vicinity of the web P fed from the nipping rollers
12). The inner surface of the paper guide 10 faces the outer
circumferential surfaces of the collect cylinder F and the jaw
cylinder G while an appropriate gap is maintained therebetween. The
gap between the paper guide 10 and the jaw cylinder G is determined
so as to allow passage of a folded sheet R.
[0033] A paper guide 14 is disposed along the outer circumferential
surface of the collect cylinder F over a range extending, in the
rotational direction of the collect cylinder F, from a position in
the vicinity of the narrowest gap between the cutting cylinder E
and the collect cylinder F to a position in the vicinity of the
narrowest gap between the jaw cylinder G and the collect cylinder
F. The gap between the inner surface of the paper guide 14 and the
outer circumferential surface of the collect cylinder F is
determined so as to allow passage of a sheet Q into which the pin
16 is stuck.
[0034] A guide apparatus T is disposed on an intermediate portion
of the paper guide 10 which extends between the collect cylinder F
and the jaw cylinder G (in FIG. 1, a portion of the paper guide 10
which, together with the outer circumferential surfaces of the
collect cylinder F and the jaw cylinder G, defines a space having a
substantially triangular cross section; i.e., a sheet transfer
space 26). Two elongated holes 11 are formed in the intermediate
portion of the paper guide 10 in such a manner as to extend in a
direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the jaw cylinder
G and the collect cylinder F and are spaced appropriately in the
axial direction of the jaw cylinder G and the collect cylinder F
(see FIG. 2). The elongated holes 11 allow two guide plates 1
(which will be described later) of the guide apparatus T to pass
therethrough during their swinging movement.
[0035] The guide apparatus T is composed of a guide unit A, a
position-changeover drive unit B, a printing-speed detection unit
C, and a control unit D.
[0036] 1. Guide Unit A
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, two brackets 4 are mounted in a
standing condition on the paper guide 10, which partially
constitutes the folder S, on the side in opposition to the collect
cylinder F and the jaw cylinder G such that they are axially
arranged between end portions of the holes 11 located on the
collect cylinder F side while an appropriate interval is
established therebetween. A shaft 3 in parallel with the cylinder
axis is rotatably supported by the brackets 4 such that end
portions thereof project from the brackets 4. Two stopper rings 5
are fixedly attached to a portion of the shaft 3 which extends
between the brackets 4, in such a manner as to be in contact with
the corresponding mutually-facing surfaces of the brackets 4. The
stopper rings 5 restrain axial movement of the shaft 3.
[0038] Opposite end portions of the shaft 3 which project from the
brackets 4 differ in length. A block 2a and an arm 8, which is
located axially inside the block 2a, are fixedly attached to the
long projecting end portion of the shaft 3 so as to be rotatable
together with the shaft 3. A block 2b is fixedly attached to the
short projecting end portion of the shaft 3 so as to be rotatable
together with the shaft 3. Base end portions of two elongated
narrow, thin guide plates 1, which extend while being superimposed
on the corresponding holes 11 as viewed from above, are fixedly
attached to the corresponding surfaces of the blocks 2a and 2b
which face the collect cylinder F. Free end portions of the guide
plates 1 are curled away from the outer circumferential surface of
the collect cylinder F.
[0039] 2. Position-Changeover Drive Unit B
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, a bracket 7 is mounted on the
paper guide 10 on the same side where the brackets 4 of the guide
unit A are mounted. The bracket 7 is located such that the bracket
7 and the arm 8 are arranged in parallel with the longitudinal
direction of the hole 11 while a certain distance is established
therebetween.
[0041] A base portion of a fluid pressure cylinder 6 extending
toward the arm 8 is rotatably coupled to the bracket 7 by use of a
pin. An end of a rod of the fluid pressure cylinder 6 is rotatably
coupled to an end of the arm 8 of the guide unit A by use of a
pin.
[0042] When the rod of the fluid pressure cylinder 6 retracts, the
arm 8; i.e., the guide plates 1, move counterclockwise. When the
rod projects, the arm 8; i.e., the guide plates 1, move clockwise.
That is, the fluid pressure cylinder 6 causes the guide plates 1 to
vertically swing through the corresponding holes 11.
[0043] 3. Printing-Speed Detection Unit C
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing-speed detection unit C is,
for example, a pulse generator or a tachogenerator connected to an
unillustrated drive system of a press unit U of the rotary press
and adapted to input to the control unit D a signal in proportion
to the number of revolutions per unit time of the drive system;
i.e., a printing speed signal.
[0045] 4. Control Unit D
[0046] A predetermined low printing speed of the rotary press (for
example, a speed slightly higher than the crawling speed, which is
the lowest printing speed) is input beforehand to the control unit
D as a preset printing speed. The control unit D receives a
printing speed signal from the printing-speed detection unit C in
order to detect a printing speed, and compares the detected
printing speed and the preset printing speed. Depending on whether
the detected printing speed is greater than the preset printing
speed or not, the control unit D supplies a different operation
signal to an unillustrated solenoid-operated directional control
valve located in a fluid control circuit of the fluid pressure
cylinder 6 of the position-changeover drive unit B. As a result,
the solenoid-operated directional control valve performs changeover
operations, so that the rod of the fluid pressure cylinder 6
projects and retracts.
[0047] The operation of the guide apparatus T during the folder S
being engaged in folding will next be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 3 to 6.
[0048] First, in FIG. 1, the rotary press including the press unit
U and the folder S is operated at low speed so as to lead the web P
to the folder S via the press unit U.
[0049] Specifically, the nipping rollers 12 nip and pull the web P,
which is led thereto via the press unit U, to thereby lead the web
P into the gap between the collect cylinder F and the cutting
cylinder E. The cutting cylinder E and the collect cylinder F
rotate counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, in a
synchronous condition. When the knife 15 of the rotating cutting
cylinder E and the cutting bar 17 of the rotating collect cylinder
F meet, the web P is cut. The pin 16 projecting from the outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder F is stuck into the
web P at a position located immediately behind the cut line.
[0050] As mentioned above, the pin 16 is stuck into the web P at a
position located immediately behind the cut line; i.e., the pin 16
is stuck into a lead portion Q1. The lead portion Q1 is led into
the gap between the paper guide 14 and the outer circumferential
surface of the collect cylinder F while a portion of the web P
subsequent to the lead portion Q1 is looped around and held on the
outer circumferential surface of the collect cylinder F. Being
pulled by the moving pin 16, the web P moves through the gap
between the paper guide 14 and the outer circumferential surface of
the collect cylinder F.
[0051] Then, when the knife 15 of the cutting cylinder E and the
cutting bar 17 meet, the subsequent portion of the web P is cut. As
a result, the sheet Q of predetermined length (in the present
embodiment, 1/5 the circumferential length of the collect cylinder
F) is cut off from the web P. Being pulled by the moving pin 16,
the sheet Q moves further through the gap between the paper guide
14 and the outer circumferential surface of the collect cylinder F.
The lead portion Q1 of the sheet Q passes a narrowest-gap position
25 where the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the
collect cylinder F rotating clockwise and the outer circumferential
surface of the jaw cylinder G rotating counterclockwise becomes
narrowest.
[0052] The web P is repeatedly cut to a predetermined length as
mentioned above. The thus-yielded sheets Q move one after
another.
[0053] In printing preparation work for leading the web P and
carrying out various adjustments, operation at low printing speed
is repeatedly started and stopped. Thus, during printing
preparation work, as shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid-operated
directional control valve located in the fluid control circuit of
the fluid pressure cylinder 6 of the position-changeover drive unit
B causes a changeover operation in response to a signal output from
the control unit D, such that the rod of the fluid pressure
cylinder 6 retracts.
[0054] Upon retraction of the rod of the fluid pressure cylinder 6,
the guide plates 1 of the guide unit A rotates counterclockwise
from the retreat position shown in FIG. 6; i.e., the position above
the paper guide 10 at which the guide plates 1 do not interfere
with the sheet Q transferring within the sheet transfer space from
the collect cylinder F to the jaw cylinder G. As a result, the
guide plates 1 pass through the corresponding holes 11 formed in
the paper guide 10 and reach the active position located within the
sheet transfer space 26 and apart from the outer circumferential
surface of the collect cylinder F to such an extent as not to allow
the lead portion Q1 of the sheet Q to slack (see FIG. 3).
[0055] As the pin 16 of the collect cylinder F moves as a result of
the collect cylinder F rotating, the lead portion Q1 of the sheet Q
held by the pin 16 is smoothly inserted into the gap between the
collect cylinder F and the guide plates 1 each having a curled end,
and the sheet Q is led through the gap along the guide plates 1
(see FIG. 3).
[0056] Subsequently, when a lengthwise central portion Q2 of the
sheet Q and the corresponding tucking blade 18, which are located
at the same angular position, reach the narrowest-gap position 25
where the gap between the collect cylinder F and the jaw cylinder G
is narrowest, the jaw mechanism 21 of the jaw cylinder G which has
the same rotational phase (i.e., is located at the same angular
position) as the tucking blade 18 faces the tucking blade 18. The
tucking blade 18 of the collect cylinder F projects from the outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder F. As a result, the
central portion Q2 is projected toward the jaw cylinder G to
thereby be gripped by the jaw mechanism 21 provided on the jaw
cylinder G; i.e., the central portion Q2 is gripped between the
movable jaw 19 and the stationary jaw 20. The tucking blade 18
which has projected immediately retracts (see FIG. 3).
[0057] Synchronously with or slightly before projection of the
tucking blade 18, as shown in FIG. 3, the pin 16 of the collect
cylinder F which has held the lead portion Q1 of the sheet Q
retracts behind the outer circumferential surface of the collect
cylinder 16 to thereby be withdrawn from the lead portion Q1. At
this time, since the lead portion Q1 of the sheet Q is already
guided by the guide plates 1, the lead portion Q1 does not become
slack or curl even during printing preparation work, which involves
frequent start and stop of low-printing-speed operation of the
rotary press.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, after the pin 16 of the collect cylinder
F is withdrawn from the lead portion Q1 of the sheet Q as shown in
FIG. 3, the lead portion Q1 moves deeper into the gap between the
guide plates 1 and the outer circumferential surface of the collect
cylinder F for a while as the central portion Q2 of the sheet Q
held on the jaw cylinder G moves as a result of the jaw cylinder G
rotating.
[0059] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the central portion Q2 of the
sheet Q held on the jaw cylinder G is inserted into the gap between
the paper guide 10 and the outer circumferential surface of the jaw
cylinder G as a result of the jaw cylinder G rotating. As the
central portion Q2 moves further through the gap, the lead portion
Q1 of the sheet Q begins to be pulled in the direction opposite the
rotational direction of the collect cylinder F; i.e., the moving
direction of the lead portion Q1 reverses to thereby be withdrawn
from the gap between the guide plates 1 and the outer
circumferential surface of the collect cylinder F.
[0060] When the lead portion Q1 of the sheet Q is withdrawn from
the gap, the surface of the lead portion Q1 rubs against end
portions of the guide plates 1. However, because of operation at
low printing speed, the moving direction of the lead portion Q1
reverses gently. Thus, the lead portion Q1 does not rub strongly
against end portions of the guide plates 1; therefore, the surface
of the lead portion Q1 is free from scratches or stains.
[0061] As the central portion Q2 of the sheet Q moves further
through the gap between the paper guide 10 and the outer
circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder G, the lead portion Q1
of the sheet Q moves from the outer circumferential surface of the
collect cylinder F toward the jaw cylinder G within the sheet
transfer space 26, which has a substantially triangular cross
section and is defined by the outer circumferential surfaces of the
collect cylinder F and the jaw cylinder G and a portion of the
paper guide 10 extending between the collect cylinder F and the jaw
cylinder G. The former half of the sheet Q including the lead
portion Q1 and the latter half of the sheet Q subsequent to the
central portion Q2 are drawn into the gap between the paper guide
10 and the outer circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder G
while being superposed on each other.
[0062] The sheet Q is folded along the central portion Q2 held by
the jaw mechanism 21 to become the folded sheet R. After moving
through the gap between the paper guide 10 and the outer
circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder G, the folded sheet R
moves further while being held between the outer circumferential
surface of the jaw cylinder G and the endless belt 13d of the
signature guide belt 13 subsequent to the downstream end of the
paper guide 10. When the folded sheet R reaches the position where
the endless belt 13d and the outer circumferential surface of the
jaw cylinder G move away from each other, the jaw mechanism 21
releases the folded sheet R; i.e., the movable jaw 19 moves away
from the stationary jaw 20. The released folded sheet R drops into
an unillustrated fan and is then ejected to the exterior of the
rotary press (see FIG. 1).
[0063] After printing preparation work at low printing speed is
completed, the printing speed is gradually increased toward start
of regular printing. When the printing speed of the press unit U of
the rotary press exceeds the preset speed stored in the control
unit D, the control unit D outputs a signal to the
solenoid-operated directional control valve located in the fluid
control circuit of the fluid pressure cylinder 6 of the
position-changeover drive unit B. Through changeover of the
solenoid-operated directional control valve, the rod of the fluid
pressure cylinder 6 projects.
[0064] As a result, the guide plates 1 of the guide unit A situated
at the active position begins to swing clockwise. The guide plates
1 pass through the corresponding holes 11 formed in the paper guide
10 to move away from the sheet transfer space 26 until they reach
the retreat position located outside the paper guide 10.
[0065] When the printing speed of the rotary press reaches a level
of high-speed printing, slack or curl of the lead portion Q1 is no
longer involved. Specifically, the web P is repeatedly cut to a
predetermined length to thereby yield sheets Q. As mentioned
previously, the thus-yielded sheets Q move one after another
together with the collect cylinder F. Since an inertial force in
the rotational direction of the collect cylinder F is exerted on
the lead portion Q1 of the moving sheet Q more strongly than at low
printing speed, the lead portion Q1 is not slacked or curled, even
though the guides plate 1 of the guide unit A are retreated away
from the sheet transfer space 26, and the pin 16 of the collect
cylinder F is withdrawn from the lead portion Q1.
[0066] As the central portion Q2 of the sheet Q moves through the
gap between the paper guide 10 and the outer circumferential
surface of the jaw cylinder G, the lead portion Q1 of the sheet Q
smoothly separates from the outer circumferential surface of the
collect cylinder F and then moves within the sheet transfer space
26 toward the jaw cylinder G along the paper guide 10.
[0067] As in the case of low printing speed, as the central portion
Q2 of the sheet Q moves further through the gap between the paper
guide 10 and the outer circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder
G, the former half of the sheet Q including the lead portion Q1 and
the latter half of the sheet Q subsequent to the central portion Q2
are drawn into the gap between the paper guide 10 and the outer
circumferential surface of the jaw cylinder G while being
superposed on each other. The sheet Q is thus folded to become the
folded sheet R, which is then ejected to the exterior of the rotary
press (see FIG. 1).
[0068] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the above embodiment, the present invention is not
limited thereto, but may be modified as appropriate without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example,
the guide plate 1 of the guide unit A may assume the form of a rod.
The fluid pressure cylinder 6 of the position-changeover drive unit
B may be replaced with another drive unit, such as a motor.
* * * * *